Managing Knee Osteoarthritis With Physiotherapy
Managing Knee Osteoarthritis With Physiotherapy
12 July 2023 | Article is written by Dr Lee Wang Loong (Medical Officer, BP Healthcare Johor)
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis affecting more than 30% of Malaysians. This progressive joint disease is caused by the inability of the damaged joints to self-repair and typically affects the knee. Although it can occur without any apparent cause, there are some risk factors that can potentially increase the chance of osteoarthritis like obesity, gender, age, congenital defects and joint injury or overuse.
Having knee pain? You might be having knee osteoarthritis!
(Image credit: Freepik)
Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage and other tissues within the joint break down or have a change in their structure. This is due to the decreasing elasticity of the joint cartilage, erosion-causing wear and tear and the involvement of the bony surfaces.
Some common symptoms of osteoarthritis are pain or aching, stiffness, swelling and decreased flexibility. In the Community Oriented Program for the Control of Rheumatic Disease (COPCORD) study, 9.3% of adult Malaysians were found to experience knee pain, with more than half of them having clinical evidence of osteoarthritis!
X-ray showing reduced joint spaces
(Image credit: OrthoInfo)
Knee osteoarthritis can be diagnosed from a clinical examination and thoroughly confirmed through an X-ray scan that displays reduced joint spaces and bone spurs. Upon complete diagnosis, the clinician may suggest treatment options based on the radiographic severity and degree of disability. Such treatment options include both surgical and conservative approaches, like physiotherapy.
If left untreated, the knee joints may be permanently deformed,
which may further impair our daily activities on top of pre-existing pain!
(Image credit: Mount Elizabeth)
Physiotherapy, being the main conventional approach for knee osteoarthritis, involves patient assessment, education and exercise therapy by a certified physiotherapist.
The hamstring stretch helps improve the range of motion for the knee!
(Image credit: Insider)
In summary, there are multiple approaches that we can practice to reduce the symptoms and disease progression for knee osteoarthritis even before we consider medications or surgery. A sound management plan needs to be executed based on the patient’s degree of disability, lifestyle factors and preferences in order to have the best possible outcome!
BP Healthcare has always aimed to be at the forefront in providing healthcare solutions to those in need. Aside from having a wide range of health screening tests and products, we also have an in-house certified physiotherapist.
Our physiotherapy service is a medical treatment for problems of the joints, muscles or nerves, which involves doing exercises or having part of your body massaged or warmed. This package includes manual or machine therapy depending on the patients’ condition.
In search of a physiotherapy service for yourself or someone you know?
In addition to receiving a physiotherapy session, you can also explore our relaxation therapy to improve your posture and sleep quality. This therapy not only releases your muscle tension but also reduces your stress levels!
